Soziale Arbeit als weißer* Raum: Eine Critical Whiteness Perspektive auf die Soziale Arbeit in der postmigrantischen Gesellschaft

Many social work institutions still represent white* spaces in (post-)migration societies. This text looks at why. First of all, a historical overview of the handling with migration-related differences is given, which shows that the issues of racism and power relations have long been a void. This is followed by an introduction to critical whiteness studies, which address this void, look at the white* culture of dominance and reveal how “the completely unsuspicious, well-meaning subject in the middle of society” unconsciously re/produces racism. A qualitative study of the importance of whiteness in social work is then presented. Using narrative interviews with social workers as an example, we analyze how they help to make social work a white* space and become accomplices of the coloniality of power. Finally, it shows ways in which social work, as a human rights profession, can find out from this non-mandated situation.